SCHOOL GIRLS

August 2013

  Chris has been heading out to North Dakota to help out the Coborns store by the oil fields.  He leaves and Lacey and Nola Jean head to Foley.
This is one of the first trips right before school started.
Nola and Jordyn went to Mrs. Harren's class and learned some of the greatest lessons in life.
You pack up your goods into a school bag, button your sweater,
take your friends hand,
and head out in to the world with a smile on your face.

3 X 3 = 9

Becker community center Sept 2013

camp dells 2013

Paul Bunyon 2013, Conner - Chris - Jordyn

Mantolello community center October 2013

women united 2013

camp dells 2013

Clear Water 2013

soccer camp 2013

soccer camp 2013

MotelWinter 2005

Becker community center September 2013

3x3=9

The number three keeps coming up in my life.  I know we have talked about it many times before - and here it is again!
Lord,
I pray that each will know what you made them to be.  That they would not try to be who they are not or desire to be someone else.  Pour out your Holy Spirit upon each on here this day, annoint them for all that You've called them to be and everything you want them to do.  Deliver them from any evel and keep them on the path in which You created them for.  May the fruits of the Spirit (LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL)  grow in them daily.  I pray that they will understand that it is You "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2Timothy 1:9).
Oh how I love these groups of three!
Amen!

Harvest fest 2013

They are coming in...
pictures,
calls,
they are carving their pumpkins.
Getting ready for the Harvest fest.
Putting on costumes of something they long to be,
knowing that God made them special just as they are.
They gently clean out all the seeds and slush from the inside,
  Jesus does the same for us -
and after He does,
He puts His light in us so others can see the way.

A pocket full of love

This is the smile that has made her famous.
Straight across,
looking as though she has something saved in her cheeks.
And on this day,
I picture a pocket full of love sent out to Blaine and caught by our Cassie Grace.

Heart beats

My heart skips a beat as I remember holding her for this moment.
Little vintage dress on that Minerva had given me long ago...
curls pinned back with a vintage clip.
And her momma shares Nolaisms with me quite often...
I love those moments also as my heart skips to the sound of her voice...
"oh phew, another skunk farted"
"and skunks don't have hands, they are not humans, they can't read magazines"
"you can't see after the sun goes down, when it's dark. But on Halloween, you can't see until it's dark. If it's light out then you can't see on Halloween when you go trick or treating."
"can my cousins come to the Arli-Dazzle parade this time" (she remembers??)
"Jordyn is my friend"
"mom, I told you not to pick me up, I am staying here"
"sugar makes your tummy do bad things, it is not good for little girls or you"
"first we will go for a walk, then you will get ready for bed, then you will get a rubsage"
and so it goes...
the beautiful words of little ones
reminding you that your heart is where it belongs

Memories

I believe the beauty of this picture,
the memory of these flowers...
will get me through many a winters night.
As we let the ground rest...
waiting for new seeds to be planted
in the spring soil.

The town rooster

As he struts his stuff around the Hacker farm...
we contemplate his life.
He probably isn't that old, but he has a crow that out does most.
And early this morning as he sat on the roof of the house and cockadoole dooed...
Carol woke well before dawn with this thought...
I wonder what life on the farm would be like...
if this fancy pants rooster were to move to town?

Organizing

Nola found a picnic basket in the basement.  She spent much of her day playing with it and when she left it was neatly tucked back by the toys.
After she left our house to return to her home in Mpls, I thought I would return it to the basement, bringing a little organization to the family room once again.
I happened to open the basket up and see that neatly tucked in the basket was a egg carton.
I thought I would take that out and put it by the rest of the egg cartons, bringing just a touch more organization to my whole cleaning experience.
I happened to open the egg carton and see that neatly tucked in each spot were Nola's snacks.
I couldn't help but smile...
picturing her breaking up each little chip and then adding a few cheerio's here and there...
neatly organizing each compartment with her dried goods
saving them for a rainy day.
And I take in this gentle moment, hold it close in my heart...
saving it for a rainy day!

PLAN B

It was time for our fourth annual "fall get together".  We had two dates planned the first being October 13th, and the second date was October 20th.
The weather on the 13th was absolutely beautiful.  Emi was in Arlington with the kids, the dads were gone... but, we couldn't waste this beautiful day just in case the 20th was cold and rainy.
Emi, Jaci, Conner, Jordyn, Gramma D, Jeff, Lila and myself left for Belle-plain Emma Krumbees after church.  We met up with Lacey, K and Nola at 1:30.  It cost $5.00 to get in...
it was well worth it.
The temps climbed up into the 70's.
There was singing and swinging,
dancing and hayrides.
The next full gathering was now planned for the 20th as EVERYONE would be able to come.  We planned on a Apple Orchard by Delano.  Everyone was going to meet there at 1:00.
The kids and I got up for church after listening to it rain most of the night!
The snow flakes in the air prompted Grammy D to contact the website...
all outside activities for kids had been canceled!!
So,
plan B...
we all met in Monticello at the Community Center.  Did some picture taking, some swimming and then went to the Chinese buffet that has become a famous place for our families to meet.
So,
can I write about the beautiful colors and smells, textures and animals of the farm?
no...
but, I can say it didn't matter where we met as long as we were together.
Next year we will plan our fall gathering for the first days of fall!

ZINNIA'S

When we were all young...
Carol would have probably been the last one that we would have thought would marry a farmer.
She never seemed to care much for the farm.
But, we were wrong ...
we now have many memories of the Hacker farm.
Some new ones include that on Wednesday August 14th Robin and I went out to Carols after I got off work.  We got to her house by 6:30, in time to take part in a great feast.  Duane made pork chops and hamburgers on the grill.  Robin brought watermelon.  We made fresh green beans with Parmesan  cheese...
and a glass of wine.
Then we helped Carol to pick out an outfit for the wedding she was invited to on Saturday.  It was a style show in full review and we had a great time looking through her clothes and jewelry and having her try things on!  Out fit picked out we had another glass of wine and talked and then went to bed.  Next morning Carol went in to get her hair done and then we met her in Mankato at the Chinese buffet by Toyota at 12:30.  From there we ventured on to the mall and did some shopping.  Ending our adventure at McDonalds for a little supper.
On Friday August 30th Carol and Duane came to Arlington.  We meet with mom, Jeff and Robin and had supper.  Then we went across the street to the movie "The Miller Family".  It was probably close to the raunchiness movie I have seen, however, not as bad as "Ted" (the worst I have ever seen and we walked out) .  The Miller Family did make me laugh, it also made us realize that the new generations sense of humor is way different than ours!  After the movie I headed home to finish my project and then out to Missy and Jeff's for a little bonfire before bed.
Curt left with his brother and went up North for the week-end...
leaving me to do something...
might as well head to the Hacker farm for the night!
Again on Saturday August 31st, Jeff and I went to Carol and Du's.  We took along our tomatoes and canning supplies.  Miranda and Evelyn were there also and we canned 20 quarts of tomatoes.  Carol had a head start and it is all just so much fun when you do it as family!
After that we cleaned up and went in to church.
Then on to the movie "The Governor."
Back to the Hacker farm and time for bed!
The next day we woke up and picked loads of Zinnia's

.  Carol had bought some bulk seeds and Du planted them all along the south east corner of their drive way...
they were beautiful!
Jeff made sure we cut enough for gramma D...
Then it was off for a beautiful Sunday drive to Annandale and back to Winthrop.
Jeff and I got in our car, zinnias in the back seat...
headed for home...
missing the farm!

JOY

Sometimes there is so much joy in your heart...
it spills out ...
unto those around you.

"Thy Kingdom Come"

 I get out of my car to go in to work.
Not really thinking about anything, the sound of fall covers me.
Emotions wash over me in waves...
I hear whispers of the birds, forming a black V in the sky.
As I head in to work it comes to me in the rustling of the leaves...
the realization
that this is.
On earth as it is in Heaven...
the two places are so close together really...
as I step in the door where the story he told me yesterday, is now in my thoughts...
he has taken his story with him, he is gone.
The birds heading south in their perfect pattern.
My friend that I just talked with is now in Heaven, so close to earth.
 "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven".
Can you hear Him in that still place in your heart?
Slow down...
the squirrels dart along the branches of the oak tree that is set outside the door.
Planted long before we knew we would be here.  Their chatter is conscious of the way the birds are flying.  They know it is time.
As the sunlight cuts through the crimson colored foilage it surrounds me with the sound of His voice.
I slow my steps just long enough to hear Him whisper to my friend...
well done good and faithful servant.
I think to myself...
what a beautiful world.

Baking

Jaci Anna in her "early" years of baking!

Jaci and her family came to our house on the week-end of September 12th.  They arrived at 2:00 and it was straight to grandma Doris's to do some baking.  They made pumpkin cupcakes with whip cream frosting and apple strudel muffins.  It seems that is their thing...
baking.
I always love what they make, the love poured in makes it taste all the better!
Conner had went out to play with Hayden for the afternoon and then JaciAnna and I went to pick him up.  We came to our house then and settled in for bed.
Jaci Conner and myself in grandpa's bed (he was up north getting the trailer ready for deer hunting).
Jordyn and momma at grandma D's. (daddy was in North Dakota working).
The next morning we woke up and got ready for church.  Momma met us there and we brought the wonderful baked treats to the Sunday school bake sale.  Grammie Pammie had childrens sermon and it was such a precious time to have my grandbabies come up for the lesson also.  When Emily was in confirmation, Pastor Sharon started having the confirmation kids do childrens sermons.  It was a first for our church, and now 20 years later, I am still doing them.  It seems it all comes full circle...
baking...
hearing about Jesus...
momma's and daddy's
grandma's and papa's
great grandma's
grandchildren
and all the precious memories God has Blessed us with!

Seasons

Jaci Anna at their first home in Foley spring 2007

Jaci Anna at their second home in Foley winter 2007

As the season change is again upon us,
it is snowing north of Winthrop.
I remember well the spring rains,
thought they would never end...
turned into a beautiful summer, trees lush with green
the leaves turning beautiful hues of crimson, golds that touch your soul...
as you put away your umbrella
and put on your snowsuit...
getting ready for the crystals as they land on your heart and melt into the rains of spring.

The mail man

When I was 19 and lived in Mankato, my address was still Box 455, Arlington, Mn. 55307.  My dad took care of getting the mail and he would save mine for when I came home.  There was a time when parking in Mankato was a tuff deal.  I parked in a no parking zone, everyone said "don't worry about the parking tickets in Mankato, they never follow through with them".  Well, they started following up on the parking tickets and sent my "bill" to Box 455!  I'll be if the big guy didn't open it, wondering what in the world his favorite daughter was getting from the Brown County Sherriff's department.  When I got home, he handed it to me and told me to "get it paid before my mother saw it".  I paid the bill, probably the most expensive parking I have ever had!
When I grew up and we got our own mail in Arlington...
we kept Box 455.
I remember after we moved to 407 West Baker, it was one of the things my dad always did for us.
He would take his daily trip to the post office,
talk to everyone that was there...
and pick up the mail.
He would hand deliver it to our house.  Often times he would bring Twinkies or an ice cream treat for the kids, and sense he tended to deliver these things when the kids were home, he would need to sit down with them and have a treat also.
I remember very well the last hand delivered mail.
It was cold outside and he had dropped it off and was leaving before I came up from the basement.  I ran out after him and he was standing by his car, he had the door open and I stood on the porch...
"hey, dad, thanks for the mail!  How are you feeling did you get to the Dr.?"
"I'm feeling better"
"Well, I hope so as I want you around for a long while yet"
he told me
"I'm not going anywhere!"
Soon it was Thanksgiving.
We spent that with many of dad family members at Rhonda and Dungs in the cities.
Much love was shared, and thanks given.
My dad continued to not feel well and his heart that was damaged at age 35, gave out on him at age 60.
I miss him like mad sometimes...
I wonder if there is mailmen in Heaven?

Dancin'

There is something about this picture that sets my heart to dancin'.
The soft echo of love providing the music.
As the melody takes over my soul and my rib cage can no longer hold the feet of my heart.
It opens up to the world of son in laws and grandchildren...
all the stuff I only thought about when my 3 girls were this age.
The wind silently takes all that is within me and spreads it over the dance floor.

Blessed

Brother bear the blesser...
making sure his little sister and cousin are feeling blessed!!

Dreamin'

On October 9th mom, lucy, and Jeff came to where I work.  I left early and we headed up Hiway 10 East to Blaine.  We plan on going to a party together and then spending the night with our middle baby girl.  As I am dreaming with my eyes open...
little Cassandra Grace sits on my lap, reaching her fingers into my mouth and showing me her toys.  She has no words yet to explain what she is feeling, but, when I set some sunglasses on her face that match her vivid blue outfit...
tears form and she makes the saddest sound -
I immediately take them off and tell her sweetly that gramma will NEVER put those on her again.  Her daddy assures her and finishing getting her dressed in her Sunday best...
off we go, all of us.
There is dancing and games, food and drinks.
There is a spirit of love as they move around the floor.
The DJ clearly loves this crowd...
they are so easy to please and they dance, their not so perfect bodies moving to the sound of the music. 
As I look around I do not see one sad face...
especially now that momma has her baby (no sunglasses).
Their eyes are open
as they dream of future dances and a place where all people come together in perfect harmony.
Wheelchairs move to the rhythm as another takes his red tie off and shows you how to move.
And I dream of the things they will do when they reach that place beyond physical and mental disabilities. 
Maybe it will be me who polishes the dance floor of Heaven for them?
When I close my eyes that night
I hear her breathing soft baby breaths
And I am thankful to be alive
I am thankful to be with people who can dream with their eyes open.

This story is a figment of my imagination - the story I dreamed up with my eyes open!

photo shoot

I think that the photographer caught exactly - behind the lens...
the emotions of a baby girl...
dressing her in a vivid blue, headband to match -
now snap and you have forever on film a smile,
a look of anticipation,
and the feeling of frustration as you look to your momma for an answer.

lavender fields

Momma hears her coughing during the night.
She gets out her "thieves oil" and some lavender and goes to get the little package from the crib.
Laying her little body out close to her on the bed, she rubs oil into her feet...
onto her back, her neck and arms...
momma is giving her little girl a massage (or a "rubsage" as Nola calls it).
Nola lays back and closes her eyes...
"oh momma, this is so alaxing!  I am getting so alaxed!  I think maybe it would be nice if I could lay down with you now and sleep, what do you think mom?"
Well,
what can momma say?
The little lavender smelling girl that is totally alaxed...
lays down by her momma -
smiling -
curls wrapping around her little cherub face.
They both close their eyes dreaming ...
the beauty of a lavender field,
laying beside you
alaxing
on a beautiful fall night in Minnesota.

two teeth!

It seems impossible when I try to wrap my mind around the fact that our baby Cassie Grace is already 8 months old!  She spent her 7 month birthday at our house...
then two weeks later came again!
Us moms all had movie night while the babies slept...
Nola Jean here with papa.
Cassie Grace at grandma Dorius's with us.
The movie was a netflix, grandma picked it out with love.
Popcorn and wine.
Now it seems the baby is having trouble sleeping the week past our house...
what could it be?
Up every couple of hours needing momma to sooth her.
She wakes up on the eve of her 8th month birthday...
and you can feel it with the pads of your pointer finger,
a little tooth has popped through the swollen gums...
white and perfect with another one right behind coming in second!
2 teeth for your 8th month birthday little angel -
may Jesus hold you close in the palm of His hand as you sleep through the night...
rolling on to your tummy and dreaming of all the years ahead.

I gotta wait a whole month yet for these teeth!!??